SAN ANTONIO, Texas — In a thrilling matchup during the second round of the FCS playoffs, Zach Calzada led the Incarnate Word Cardinals to a narrow victory over Villanova, finishing the game with 182 passing yards and throwing the only touchdown of the game to Roy Alexander. The final score was 13-6, marking a significant achievement for the Cardinals who ended the season with an impressive record of 11-2 and secured their highest playoff seed in history at No. 6. They are set to continue their postseason journey against the third-seeded South Dakota State in the next round.

The scoring opened with Brack Peacock’s 23-yard field goal, which gave Incarnate Word a 3-0 advantage with just over eight minutes left in the first half. Villanova, however, quickly responded with Ethan Gettman successfully kicking a 49-yard field goal to tie the game. As the third quarter came to a close, Gettman secured a brief lead for the Wildcats with a longer 52-yard field goal.

In the fourth quarter, Calzada connected with Roy for a pivotal touchdown, regaining the lead for the Cardinals. Peacock followed up with another field goal, this time from 35 yards, extending their advantage with just over four minutes left on the clock.

For Incarnate Word, Lontrell Turner made a significant impact on the ground, rushing for 120 yards over 18 carries, showcasing the running game’s effectiveness. On the other hand, Villanova’s offense struggled as quarterback Connor Watkins managed to throw for only 103 yards and was intercepted once. Overall, the Wildcats were dominated in total yardage, being outgained 437 to 138.

Notably, this game marked the first time Villanova had been shut out from the end zone since November 5, 2022, when they suffered a loss to Towson, falling 27-3. The Cardinals will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for the upcoming challenge against South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.